Day Visits

Thursdays and Sundays are closed to drop-in visitors. These days are reserved for volunteers who are willing to contribute their time and energy for at least a few hours, to assist us on current sanctuary projects. Please contact us beforehand if you are interested in this option. We appreciate your understanding!

Please DO NOT bring your dog to the sanctuary.

Hours: We welcome visitors Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You must call ahead if you have a party of 10 or more. Plan to spend a few hours volunteering with us on a Thursday or Sunday visit, as these days are closed to drop-in visitors.

Directions: Please don’t use Google Maps or a GPS! You will get lost! Click here for our simple, accurate directions.

Cost: We do not charge any fees to visit the sanctuary. We ask for cash donations or items from our Wish List. Please be fair, generous, and honest with how much you can give. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit with no government funding, we run entirely on your donations.

Wolf Behavioral Session:We absolutely cannot guarantee a wolf visit. We try to offer visitors aWolf Behavioral Session on Wednesdays and Saturdays — provided the wolves, the weather, and our projects agree with one another. The wolves are most active on Wednesday and Saturday because these are feeding days, so these are generally the best days to see the wolves. Please arrive by 11 a.m. to participate — although during the winter, there is no set time for the feeding or the behavioral session, so the earlier you arrive, the better. The worst days to visit the refuge are Thursdays and Sundays, when the wolves are asleep and digesting. The wolves are lethargic after our feeds, becoming more social as they slowly digest their huge meal. This is why Thursdays and Sundays are now closed to drop-in visitors, and reserved for those who will volunteer a few hours of their time to assist with sanctuary projects.

Children: Children are welcome to visit Mission: Wolf. However, we strongly recommenda minimum age of 7 years old. Our wolves see children as puppies and want to play with them — when they can’t, the wolves get frustrated and take this energy out on their pack-mates. Because younger children are more likely to rile up the wolves, for safety purposes, you may be limited to certain areas on the tour.

Volunteer: If you are visiting on a Thursday or Sunday, we will put you to work for a few hours to help out around the sanctuary. We always have projects to do. Whatever skills you have, we can find a way to put them to work. We always have a need for people to do metalworking, carpentry, gardening, chainsaw work, and other forms of skilled labor. Read more about volunteering here.

Camping: We have a primitive tent campsite available free of charge — donations are appreciated. Please read about camping overnight before planning your visit.

Surrounding Area: It’s easy to incorporate other destinations into your visit to Mission: Wolf. Click here for more info about our area.

Winter Conditions: November through May, our roads are frequently impassable due to snow drifts and deep mud. There is no cell phone coverage on our roads. Come prepared to dig yourself out of a snowdrift or hike to find help. We recommend that you bring tire chains, a shovel, and enough clothing and food to survive a night in your vehicle at -40°F.

Weather: Mission: Wolf is located 9,300 feet above sea level. Mountain weather is unpredictable and changes quickly. No matter the season, be prepared for anything. In general, summer is hot and sunny with afternoon thunderstorms and cool nights. Fall has a mix of cold and warm days with cold nights. Our first snow typically falls in early October, and the majority of our snow falls in March and April. Winter is sunny but extremely cold. Large snowdrifts can block roads. To check our local weather forecast, click here.